The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is on track for opening in October 2020 and operating principle tests have been scheduled in to take place.
In the last few months, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg (FBB) said together with its service providers and building contractors, they have completed the necessary preparations for the start of the operating principle tests (Wirk-Prinzip-Prüfungen, WPP) for BER Terminal T1.
Out of a total of 12 asset groups required to be tested, 10 have already been certified with positive results by testing experts and therefore ready for the WPP.
In the last few days, the tests for asset group 05 (fire detection and alarm systems) have been completed successfully. In asset group 06 (emergency power supply/safety lighting), the processing of defects has also progressed so far that the start of the operating principle tests can now take place.
FBB chief executive officer, Engelbert Lütke Daldrup said: “The start of the higher-level operative principle tests in July confirms that opening BER in October 2020 is on schedule.
“My special thanks go to the Terminal 1 project managers and the team of experts who have done everything they can in recent weeks to complete the necessary preparations for the final tests to begin.”
In May, FBB said establishment of the airlines’ location for flight operations had begun with all airlines, participating authorities and ground handling services attending a meeting.
The new airport has been beset by construction delays and planning permission problems and was originally supposed to open as far back as 2012 and become somewhat of a national embarrassment for Germany.
Berlin Tegel Airport is to shut once the new hub is open, but there have been calls – including from Ryanair for it to remain open to ensure sufficient capacity.
